Tim McClelland

Tim McClelland
McClelland in 2012
Born	(1951-12-12) December 12, 1951 (age 65) Jackson, Michigan
Occupation	MLB umpire
Height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight	250 lb (113 kg)

Timothy Reid McClelland (born December 12, 1951) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1983 to 1999 and throughout both leagues from 2000 until his retirement prior to the 2015 season. He has called many important games, from post-season games to the George Brett "Pine Tar" game in 1983. More recently, he was the plate umpire for the Sammy Sosa corked bat game on June 3, 2003, when the Chicago Cubs hosted the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Wrigley Field. He has worn uniform number 36 since his promotion to the AL, and kept the number when Major League Baseball merged the American and National League umpiring staffs in 2000.

McClelland retired as MLB's second-most senior umpire (after Joe West), and was the second tallest major league umpire at 6'6" (Jordan Baker is 6'7"). He was known in the past for working in a kneeling position behind the plate, but switched in 2006 to a "box position," a form of squat. He is also noted for his deliberate umpiring mechanics, which have earned him the nickname "Rain Delay McClelland," and for his small but consistent strike zone. Major league pitcher Zack Greinke has said of McClelland's tight strike zone, "For some reason, he's the one umpire that scares me. I have nightmares about him."

McClelland has umpired in numerous noteworthy baseball games. He has been a World Series umpire four times (1993, 2000, 2002 and 2006), and worked in three All-Star games (1986, 1998 and 2003), calling balls and strikes on the last occasion. He has also called five Division Series (1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), serving as crew chief in 1997, 2004, and 2006. McClelland has officiated eight League Championship Series (1988, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009), serving as crew chief in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.